Dispensing machine sanitization using electrochemically activated liquid

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprises a dispensing system and a sanitizing system. The apparatus has a dispensing mode and sanitizing mode. The dispensing system may comprise a first valve and at least one component, the at least one component comprising an inner surface. The first valve has an open position to send a free-flowing material to the at least one component when the apparatus is in the dispensing mode, in a closed position when the combination is in the sanitizing mode. The sanitizing system comprises a processing unit, having an electrochemical cell configured to produce an anolyte solution and a catholyte solution. The sanitizing system comprises a second valve having an open position to send the anolyte solution and the catholyte solution to the at least one component when the apparatus is in the sanitizing mode. The second valve has a closed position when the apparatus is in the dispensing mode.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority toprovisional U.S. Application No. 61/554,359, filed Nov. 1, 2011, andentitled “Dispensing Machine Sanitization Using ElectrochemicallyActivated Liquid,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to generating and usingelectrochemically activated liquids, such as electrochemically activatedwater, for sanitization of dispensing systems, e.g., free-flowing fooddispensing systems, such as beverage dispensers used in cafeterias,restaurants (including fast food restaurants), theatres, conveniencestores, gas stations, and other entertainment and/or food servicevenues.

BACKGROUND

Dispensing systems, e.g., free-flowing food dispensing systems,including beverage dispensers, periodically need to be sanitized.Traditional methods of sanitizing dispensing systems utilizedisinfecting liquids, which typically include antimicrobial agents,liquid detergents, and surfactants. A disadvantage of conventionalsystems is related to the need for reloading or recharging theconventional disinfecting and cleaning liquids to a sanitizing system.The reloading or recharging of disinfecting and cleaning liquidscomplicates system maintenance and hinders automation of sanitizingprocess.

Therefore, there is a need for new disinfection and sanitizationapparatus and methods that would eliminate the need for reloading ofdisinfecting and cleaning liquids as in existing apparatuses andmethods. Further, eliminating the need for reloading of disinfecting andcleaning liquids, and would also enable easier automation ofsanitization of beverage dispensing systems.

SUMMARY

In one aspect the present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising adispensing system in combination with a sanitizing system. Thecombination has a dispensing mode and sanitizing mode. The dispensingsystem comprises a first valve and at least one component, the at leastone component comprising an inner surface. The first valve has an openposition to send a free-flowing material to the at least one componentwhen the combination is in the dispensing mode. The first valve has aclosed position when the combination is in the sanitizing mode. Thesanitizing system comprises a processing unit. The processing unitcomprises an electrochemical cell configured to produce an anolytesolution and a catholyte solution, a first tank configured to receivethe anolyte solution, and a second tank configured to receive thecatholyte solution. The sanitizing system comprises a second valve. Thesecond valve has an open position to send the anolyte solution from thefirst tank and the catholyte solution from the second tank to the atleast one component when the combination is in the sanitizing mode. Thesecond valve has a closed position when the combination is in thedispensing mode.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description ofthe illustrated embodiments thereof which are to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows apparatus in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure comprising a dispensing system and an integratedsanitizing system.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows apparatus in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure comprising a dispensing system and an integratedsanitizing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to sanitizing and/or cleaning systems,and more particularly to systems that generate a working liquid that hascleaning and/or sanitizing properties.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, electrochemical activationof a liquid, e.g. water, may be used to generate a working liquid thathas cleaning and/or sanitizing properties. In accordance with aspects ofthe disclosure, electrochemical processes may be performed in aprocessing, e.g., and an electrolyzer. Electrochemical processes inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure may comprise:

-   -   a. oxidation of water at the anode: 2H₂O−4e=4H⁺+O₂;    -   b. reduction of water at the cathode: 2H₂O+2e=H₂+2OH⁻;    -   c. formation of gaseous chlorine in chloride solutions at the        anode: 2Cl⁻=2e+Cl₂;    -   d. formation of highly active oxidants in an anodic chamber:        Cl₂O, ClO₂, ClO⁻, HClO, Cl., O₂., O₃, HO₂, OH.; and    -   e. formation of highly active reductants in a cathodic chamber:        OH⁻, H₃ ⁻, O₂ ⁻, H₂, HO₂., HO₂ ⁻, O₂ ⁻.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an anolytesolution may be generated, and a catholyte solution may be generated. Asufficient amount of strong oxidants and free radicals in an anolytesolution provide antimicrobial properties. Catholyte solution comprisinga sufficient amount of reductants provides washing properties. Anolyteand catholyte solutions have considerable change in pH and oxidationreduction potential (“ORP”) with respect to their initial values inwater: in an anolyte solution, pH value is reduced and ORP is elevatedup to the extreme positive (oxidant) value; in a catholyte solution, pHis increased and ORP is reduced to the extreme negative (reductant)value. The magnitude of the change depends on initial mineralization ofthe water and parameters of an electrolyzing process.

In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, aregular water supply may be used in combination with a device forelectrochemical activation of water. The electrochemically activatedwater may be used to eliminate the need for reloading of conventionaldisinfecting and cleaning liquids. The electrochemically activated watermay be used to also enable easier automation of sanitization offree-flowing or liquid dispensing systems. Liquid dispensing systems maycomprise free-flowing food dispensing systems, e.g. beverage dispensingsystems.

In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure,effective integration of a unit for production of electrochemical watersolution with a liquid dispensing system may be provided, and theintegration or combination can be used to provide reliable and automatedsanitization.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a fully automatedsanitizing system that modifies properties of water in such a way thatthe water acquires disinfecting and/or cleaning properties. As a resultthe sanitizing system does not require any consumable disinfectingand/or cleaning materials.

In an embodiment, water can be modified or treated in such way that thewater acquires antimicrobial and cleaning properties as a result ofelectrochemical activation of the water. In an embodiment,electrochemical activation may occur in an electrolyzer. Theelectrochemically-activated water may be pumped through a liquiddispensing system in order to sanitize and clean the inner surface(s) ofpipes, chambers, reservoirs, pumps, valves and other components of thedispensing system. Use of regular a water supply can eliminate the needfor reloading of disinfecting and cleaning liquids, thus enabling easierautomation of the sanitization process.

A benefit of the present disclosure is that disinfecting and washingsolutions can be produced from a conventional drinking water source,e.g., municipal tap water. A benefit of the present disclosure is thatelectrochemically-activated water can be safer for consumers andoperators than conventional disinfecting and/or cleaning materialstypically used for sanitization of beverage dispensing systems. Thus, aresidual amount of electrochemically-activated water in a beveragedispensing system after a sanitizing procedure is completed can be saferthan a residual amount of conventional disinfecting and/or cleaningmaterials typically used for sanitization of beverage dispensingsystems.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a sanitization methodcomprises (1) subjecting a liquid to electrochemical treatment for timesufficient to provide electrochemical activation of the liquid andproduce ions in the liquid, and (2) sending theelectrochemically-activated liquid through a beverage dispensing system.In an embodiment, the liquid comprises water.

Pumping the electrochemically-activated liquid through the beveragedispensing system can be arranged in such way that theelectrochemically-activated liquid, e.g., electrochemically-activatedwater, circulates though the beverage dispensing system and returns tothe sanitizing system. By re-circulating the electrochemically-activatedliquid, the liquid may again be subjected to electrochemical treatmentto replenish ions and chemical radicals in the liquid, and theelectrochemically-activated liquid may be sent again through thebeverage dispensing system. Alternatively, a single pass of theelectrochemically-activated liquid water through the dispensing systemcan be arranged. After the sanitizing procedure is completed, usedliquid, e.g., water, may be disposed into a drain, or further treated asmay be desired.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method for modifyingwater may be provided such that the water acquires antimicrobial andcleaning properties. In an embodiment, water properties may be modifiedby saturation of water with ions and chemical radicals produced byelectrochemically activating water.

In an embodiment, liquid properties can be modified by saturation of theliquid or water with ions and chemical radicals produced by anelectrochemical cell. Electrochemically-activated liquid produced by theelectrochemical cell may be pumped through a liquid dispensing system inorder to sanitize and clean the inner surface(s) of pipes, chambers,reservoirs, pumps, valves and other components of the dispensing system.Use of regular water supply may eliminate the need for reloading ofdisinfecting and cleaning liquids, thus enabling easier automation ofsanitizing process. The sanitizing method may comprise producing ananolyte solution and a catholyte solution, and pumping those solutionsthrough liquid dispensing system at different times or at the same time.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, anelectrochemically-activated liquid, e.g., electrochemically-activatedwater, may be generated by a processing unit or electrochemical cell andmay be circulated inside a beverage dispensing system. In an embodiment,electrochemically-activated water may be circulated inside the beveragedispensing system for a sufficient time to provide sanitization of thebeverage dispensing system so that free-flowing material, such asfree-flowing food (e.g., a beverage) can be dispensed from thedispensing system without being contaminated by components of thedispensing system, or other materials within components of thedispensing system.

In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure,electrochemically-activated water may be circulated inside the beveragedispensing system for not longer than 30 minutes before it is disposedto a drain or may be returned to the processing unit for replenishmentof ions and chemical radicals. By maintaining circulation of theelectrochemically-activated water to not longer than 30 minutes mayprovide greater antimicrobial efficacy of the ozone-containing waterthan circulating the electrochemically-activated water for longer than30 minutes.

After the electrochemically-activated liquid orelectrochemically-activated water is circulated inside the beveragedispensing system for sufficient time for the beverage dispensing systemto be sanitized, the electrochemically-activated water may be eitherreturned to the electrochemical cell, or disposed to a drain. Disposingthe electrochemically-activated water to the drain after one pass, andgenerating a new electrochemically-activated water to circulate throughthe beverage dispensing system may provide better antimicrobial efficacythan simply recirculating the older electrochemically-activated waterthrough the beverage dispensing system.

An embodiment of a sanitizing system 100 in accordance with the presentdisclosure is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, sanitizing system 100may be integrated with a liquid or beverage dispensing system 121. Thebeverage dispensing apparatus or system 121 may be used to dispense aconcentrated beverage. The beverage dispensing system 121 may comprise acontainer 120, with concentrate 101, mixer 107, pumps 103 and 109,dispensing nozzle 112, and valves 102, 104, 105, 108, 110, 111. Thesanitizing system 100 may comprise a processing unit or electrochemicalcell 115, an input valve 114, an output valve 116, and a pump 118.Electrochemical cell 115 may comprise an electrolyzer.

When the beverage dispensing system 121 is in a dispensing mode, valves106, 110 and 114 may be closed. In the dispensing mode, pump 103 maymove concentrate 101 from container 120 into mixer 107, and valves 102and 104 may be open. Water may be delivered to the mixer 107 from thewater supply 117 and through valve 105. Water supply 117 may be anyconventional drinking water supply, e.g., municipal tap water. Aftermixing in the mixer 107, the mixture of concentrate 101 and water may bepumped to nozzle 112 by pump 109, and further into a cup or othercontainer (not shown) placed under nozzle 112.

In a sanitizing mode, valve 102 may be closed so that concentrate 101does not flow from container 120 to pump 103. Valve 114 may be open oropened and water from water supply 117 may be directed intoelectrochemical cell 115. Electrochemical cell 115 may be configured toproduce two solutions: an anolyte solution 116 and a catholyte solution124. Anolyte solution 116 may be stored in tank 122, and catholytesolution 124 may be stored in tank 123. When a sufficient amount of eachsolution may be produced, valve 118 may be opened and pump 120 may movethe anolyte solution 116 into the dispensing system 121, e.g., throughvalve 106. At the same time pumps 109 and 103 may also be put intooperation to move the anolyte solution 116 along the dispensing system121 and across internal surfaces of components of the dispensing system.The anolyte solution may pass through components of the dispensingsystem 121, for example, but not by way of limitation, pump 103, mixer107 and pump 109. The anolyte solution may then be sent to drain 113.For this embodiment, valve 111 may be closed and valve 110 may be openwhen the apparatus is in the sanitizing mode.

When a predetermined amount of anolyte may be pumped through thedispensing system, valve 118 may be closed, and valve 125 may be openedso that pump 120 may move the catholyte solution 124 through thedispensing system in the same manner as done for the anolyte solution116. After a predetermined amount of the catholyte solution 124 may bepumped through the dispensing system, valve 125 may be closed, and thedispensing system may then be ready for operation in the dispensingmode.

In an alternative embodiment, the order may be reversed and apredetermined amount of the catholyte solution 124 may be pumped throughthe dispensing system 121, and then a predetermined amount of theanolyte solution 122 may be pumped through the dispensing system 121.

In an embodiment, electrochemical cell 115 may comprise a firstelectrochemical cell (not shown) and a second electrochemical cell (notshown). In an embodiment, the first electrochemical cell may produce theanolyte solution 122, and the second electrochemical cell may producethe catholyte solution 124. In an embodiment, the first electrochemicalcell may produce the anolyte solution 122, and the secondelectrochemical cell may produce the catholyte solution 124 at the sametime or about the same time. Thus, the anolyte solution 116 may beaccumulated in tank 122 at the same time or about the same time that thecatholyte solution 124 may be accumulated in tank 123.

In an embodiment, both the anolyte solution 116 and the catholytesolution 124 may be received by pump 120 at the same time or about thesame time, and then sent through the dispensing system 121 at the sametime or about the same time.

In an embodiment, the anolyte solution 116 and the catholyte solution124 may be directed through the nozzle 112 to disinfect or sanitizeinterior surfaces of the piping leading to valve 111, interior surfacesof valve 111, and interior surfaces of nozzle 112. In this embodiment, areceiving plate 119 may be connected to the drain 113, as shown in FIG.2. Thus, disinfecting or sanitizing water may be directed through nozzle112 to receiving plate 119, and through valve 210, as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitizing system 100 may comprise anelectrochemical cell 115, a tank 122 for an anolyte solution 116, a tank123 for a catholyte solution 124, input valve 114, output valves 118 and125, and a pump 120. As shown in FIG. 1, output valve 118 corresponds tothe outlet of tank 122, and output valve 125 corresponds to the outletof tank 123.

In an embodiment, a controller 126 may control operation of thesanitizing system 100, including components thereof. In an embodiment,controller 126 may control dispensing system 121, including componentsthereof.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognized that in accordancewith the present disclosure, in an embodiment, flow rates, and operationthe electrochemical cell(s) may be coordinated or controlled in anamount and manner that desirable ion and chemical radical concentrationin water is achieved.

In an embodiment, processing unit 115 may be utilized to clean waterfrom water supply 117. In an embodiment, processing unit 115 can beutilized not only for production of anolyte and catholyte solutions tosanitize the dispensing system 121, but also may be used to clean waterfrom the water supply 117. As shown in FIG. 3, in such an embodiment,processing unit 115 will ultimately have two outputs or outlets, oneoutlet 209 containing anolyte and/or catholyte solution(s) to sanitizethe dispensing system 121, and a second outlet 401 containing water,where ions and chemical radicals produced by processing unit 115 may beremoved by apparatus 403, thereby resulting cleaner water than waterfrom water supply 117. As shown in FIG. 3, water treated by processingunit 115 may exit unit 115 through valve 402 and second outlet 401. Thewater may be sent through valve 404 and into apparatus 403. In apparatus403, ions and chemical radicals in the water may be removed, and watertreated in apparatus 403 may exit apparatus 403 through valve 406 andoutlet 405. As shown in FIG. 3, water treated in apparatus 403 may beused as a water supply 407 to mixer 107. Water supply 407 may be used incombination with water supply 117 to supply water to mixer 107, or maybe used as an alternative water supply to mixer 107. Water supply 407may flow through valve 408 before flowing into mixer 107. A pump 409 maybe used to send water from processing unit 115 to apparatus 403. A pump410 may be used to pump water from apparatus 403 to mixer 107. Thus,water treated in apparatus 403 may be used as a water supply 407 tomixer 107, and be combined with concentrate 101 when desired to preparea beverage using water that has been cleaned using the combination ofprocessing unit 115 and apparatus 403.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that in accordance with thepresent disclosure, any suitable apparatus 403 may be used to removefrom water ions and chemical radicals produced by processing unit 115.For example, apparatus 403 may be the same or similar to processing unit115. For example, apparatus 403 may comprise an electrochemical cell.The electrochemical cell of apparatus 403 may convert an anolytesolution 116 to a non-anolyte solution. The electrochemical cell ofapparatus 403 may convert a convert a catholyte solution to anon-catholyte solution. The non-anolyte solution and the non-catholytesolution produced in apparatus 403 may each comprise water that has beentreated in by processing unit 115 and apparatus 403. The non-anolytesolution and the non-catholyte solution produced in apparatus 403 maycomprise water that is cleaner than water from water supply 117. Thenon-anolyte solution and the non-catholyte solution produced inapparatus 403 may comprise water that is ion-free and chemicalradical-free.

Apparatus 403 may comprise activated carbon to remove ions and chemicalradicals produced by the processing unit 115.

Automation of a sanitization process in accordance a least one aspect ofthe present disclosure can be done according to the following steps.

-   -   a. The sanitization process may be started by pre-set timer or        by a received input, for example, by receiving a “start signal.”    -   b. A beverage dispensing system 121 may enter into a sanitizing        mode wherein valve 102 and valve 111 may be closed, and wherein        valve 110 may be opened.    -   c. Valve 114 may be opened to fill processing unit 115 from        inlet 208, which in turn may be supplied with water from water        supply 117. When processing unit 115 is filled to a desired        level, valve 114 may be closed.    -   d. The water in processing unit 115 may be electrochemically        activated for a time sufficient to achieve a desired        concentration ions and chemical radicals in the water for a        given temperature of the solution. In an embodiment, the desired        concentration is the maximum concentration of ions and chemical        radicals in water for a given temperature of the solution. An        anolyte solution 116 produced by processing unit 115 may be        accumulated in tank 122. A catholyte solution 124 produced by        processing unit 115 may be accumulated in tank 123. Valve 118        may be opened and pumps 120, 103, and 109 may move the treated        or activated water through dispensing system 121 when desired to        send the anolyte solution 116 through components of dispensing        system 121. Valve 125 may be opened and pumps 120, 103, and 109        may move the treated or activated water through dispensing        system 121 when desired to send the catholyte solution 124        through components of dispensing system 121.    -   e. Steps a-d may be repeated more than one time to achieve        desirable disinfection and cleaning efficacy, i.e. commercial        sanitization.    -   f. After step e is completed, if desired, water can be treated        in apparatus 403 as previously discussed, and the water treated        in apparatus 403 may be sent to a location in the dispensing        system 121 to purge any electrochemically-activated water        remaining in dispensing system 121. Thus, water can be treated        in apparatus 403 and sent from apparatus 403, e.g., through        valve 411, which is positioned upstream of pump 103. The water        treated in apparatus 403 can thus flow through valve 411 and        downstream components, e.g., pump 103, valve 104, mixer 107,        valve 108, pump 109, valve 111, and nozzle 112. Alternatively,        although not shown in FIG. 3, water treated in apparatus 403 can        be sent to valve 106, and then through downstream components,        e.g., pump 103, valve 104, mixer 107, valve 108, pump 109, valve        111, and nozzle 112.

In an aspect the present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising adispensing system in combination with a sanitizing system. Thecombination may have a dispensing mode and sanitizing mode. Thedispensing system may comprise a first valve and at least one component,the at least one component comprising an inner surface. The first valvemay have an open position to send a free-flowing material to the atleast one component when the combination is in the dispensing mode. Thefirst valve may have a closed position when the combination is in thesanitizing mode. The sanitizing system comprises a processing unit. Theprocessing unit may comprise an electrochemical cell configured toproduce an anolyte solution and a catholyte solution, a first tankconfigured to receive the anolyte solution, and a second tank configuredto receive the catholyte solution. The sanitizing system may comprise asecond valve. The second valve may have an open position to send theanolyte solution from the first tank and the catholyte solution from thesecond tank to the at least one component when the combination is in thesanitizing mode. The second valve may have a closed position when thecombination is in the dispensing mode.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the at least one component may beselected from the group consisting of a pipe, a mixer, a chamber, areservoir, a pump, a third valve, and a nozzle.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus comprises at leastone pump. The at least one pump may be configured to send the anolytesolution from the first tank and the catholyte solution from the secondtank across an interior surface of the component when the combination isin the sanitizing mode.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus comprises piping.The piping may be configured to send the anolyte solution from the firsttank and the catholyte solution from the second tank to the at least onecomponent. The piping may be configured to circulate the anolytesolution and the catholyte solution from the at least one component backto the processing unit, e.g., after each of these solutions has made atleast one pass across the interior surface of the component. In anembodiment, the piping may be configured to circulate the anolytesolution from the first tank to the component and back to the first tankafter the anolyte solution has made at least one pass across theinterior surface of the component. In an embodiment, the piping may beconfigured to circulate the catholyte solution from the second tank tothe component and back to the second tank after the catholyte solutionhas made at least one pass across the interior surface of the component.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus may comprise adrain. The drain may be configured to receive the anolyte solution fromthe first tank and the catholyte solution from the second tank aftereach of those solutions has made at least one pass across the interiorsurface of the component.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus may be configuredto send the anolyte solution from the first tank and the catholytesolution from the second tank across the interior surface of thecomponent until the interior surface of the component has beensanitized.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the electrochemical cell maycomprise a first electrochemical cell configured to produce an anolytesolution, and a second electrochemical cell configured to produce acatholyte solution.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the first electrochemical cellmay be configured to produce the anolyte solution and secondelectrochemical cell may be configured to produce the catholyte solutionat the same time or about the same time.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the electrochemical cell may beconfigured to produce the anolyte solution at different time than thecatholyte solution.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus may comprise afirst outlet valve for the first tank, and a second outlet valve for thesecond tank. The at least one pump may be configured to receive theanolyte solution from the first outlet valve and receive the catholytesolution from the second outlet valve.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the second outlet valve may beconfigured to be in a closed position when the first outlet valve is inan open position, and the combination is in the sanitizing mode.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the first outlet valve may beconfigured to be in a closed position when the second outlet valve is inan open position, and the combination is in the sanitizing mode.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the second outlet valve may beconfigured to be in an open position and the first outlet valve may beconfigured to be in an open position when it is desired to pump thecatholyte solution and the anolyte solution through the at least onepump at the same time.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the free-flowing material is afood product.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the food product is a beverageconcentrate.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus comprises a deviceconfigured to receive the anolyte solution and the catholyte solutionfrom the sanitizing system and remove ions and chemical radicals fromthe solutions to generate an ion-free, chemical radical-free water. Theapparatus may be further configured to supply the ion-free, chemicalradical-free water across the interior surface of the component to purgeany anolyte solution or catholyte solution from the dispensing system.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus comprises a deviceconfigured to receive the anolyte solution and the catholyte solutionfrom the sanitizing system and remove the ions and chemical radicals togenerate an ion-free, chemical radical-free water, the apparatus furtherconfigured to supply the ion-free, chemical radical-free water to amixer, the mixer configured to mix a beverage concentrate with theion-free, chemical radical-free water when the combination in thedispensing mode.

In another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus may be providedcomprising a beverage dispensing system in combination with a sanitizingsystem, the combination having a dispensing mode and sanitizing mode.The beverage dispensing system may comprise a first valve and a mixer.The mixer may comprise an inner surface. The mixer may be configured tomix a beverage concentrate with water when the combination is in thedispensing mode. The first valve may have an open position to send aliquid to the mixer when the combination is in the dispensing mode. Thefirst valve may have a closed position when the combination is in thesanitizing mode. The apparatus may comprise a processing unit. Theprocessing unit may comprise an electrochemical cell configured toproduce an anolyte solution and a catholyte solution, a first tankconfigured to receive the anolyte solution, and a second tank configuredto receive the catholyte solution. The sanitizing system may comprise asecond valve. The second valve may have an open position to send theanolyte solution from the first tank and the catholyte solution from thesecond tank to the mixer when the combination is the sanitizing mode.The second valve may have a closed position when the combination is thedispensing mode.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method for sanitizing interiorsurfaces of a beverage dispensing system is provided. The method maycomprise receiving water in an electrochemical cell, generating ananolyte solution, receiving in a first tank the anolyte solutiongenerated in the electrochemical cell, generating a catholyte solution,and receiving in a second tank the anolyte solution generated in theelectrochemical cell. The method may comprise pumping the anolytesolution from the first tank through the beverage dispensing system, andpumping the catholyte solution from the second tank through the beveragedispensing system. The pumping of the anolyte solution and the catholytesolution through the beverage dispensing system may be for a sufficienttime to sanitize an interior surface of a component of the beveragedispensing system.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the method may comprise closing afirst valve, the first valve at the outlet of a beverage concentratesupply.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the method may comprise opening asecond valve, the second valve located downstream of the first tank andthe second tank.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the method may comprise pumpingof the anolyte solution and the pumping of the catholyte solution occursat different times.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the method may comprise pumpingof the anolyte solution and the pumping of the catholyte solution occursat the same time.

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the above describedembodiments may be configured to be compatible with fountain systemrequirements, and can accommodate a wide variety of fountain offerings,including but not limited beverages known under any PepsiCo brandedname, such as Pepsi-Cola®, and custom beverage offerings. Theembodiments described herein offer speed of service at least and fast orfaster than conventional systems. The embodiments described herein maybe configured to be monitored, including monitored remotely, withrespect to operation and supply levels. The embodiments described hereinare economically viable and can be constructed with off-the-shelfcomponents, which may be modified in accordance with the disclosuresherein.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that in accordance with thedisclosure any of the features and/or options in one embodiment orexample can be combined with any of the features and/or options ofanother embodiment or example.

The disclosure herein has been described and illustrated with referenceto the embodiments of the figures, but it should be understood that thefeatures of the disclosure are susceptible to modification, alteration,changes or substitution without departing significantly from the spiritof the disclosure. For example, the dimensions, number, size and shapeof the various components may be altered to fit specific applications.Accordingly, the specific embodiments illustrated and described hereinare for illustrative purposes only and the disclosure is not limitedexcept by the following claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a dispensing system in combinationwith a sanitizing system, the combination having a dispensing mode andsanitizing mode, the dispensing system comprising a first valve and atleast one component, the at least one component having an interiorsurface, the first valve having an open position to send a free-flowingmaterial to the at least one component when the combination is in thedispensing mode, the first valve having a closed position when thecombination is in the sanitizing mode, the sanitizing system comprisinga processing unit, the processing unit comprising an electrochemicalcell configured to produce an anolyte solution and a catholyte solution,a first tank configured to receive the anolyte solution, and a secondtank configured to receive the catholyte solution, the sanitizing systemfurther comprising a second valve, the second valve having an openposition to send the anolyte solution from the first tank and thecatholyte solution from the second tank to the at least one componentwhen the combination is in the sanitizing mode, the second valve havinga closed position when the combination is in the dispensing mode, theapparatus further comprising at least one pump, the at least one pumpconfigured to send the anolyte solution from the first tank and thecatholyte solution from the second tank across the interior surface ofthe component when the combination is in the sanitizing mode.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one component is selectedfrom the group consisting of a pipe, a mixer, a chamber, a reservoir, apump, a third valve, and a nozzle.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising piping configured to send the anolyte solution from the firsttank and the catholyte solution from the second tank to the processingunit after each of these solutions has each made at least one passacross the interior surface of the component.
 4. The apparatus of claim3, further comprising a drain, the drain configured to receive to theanolyte solution from the first tank and the catholyte solution from thesecond tank after each of these solutions has made at least one passacross the interior surface of the component.
 5. The apparatus of claim3, the apparatus configured to send the anolyte solution from the firsttank and the catholyte solution from the second tank across the interiorsurface of the component until the interior surface of the component hasbeen sanitized.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrochemicalcell comprises a first electrochemical cell configured to produce ananolyte solution, and a second electrochemical cell configured toproduce a catholyte solution.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein thefirst electrochemical cell is configured to produce the anolyte solutionand second electrochemical cell is configured to produce the catholytesolution at the same time or about the same time.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell is configured to produce theanolyte solution at different time than the catholyte solution.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first outlet valve for thefirst tank, a second outlet valve for the second tank, wherein the atleast one pump is configured to receive the anolyte solution from thefirst outlet valve and receive the catholyte solution from the secondoutlet valve.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second outletvalve configured to be in a closed position when the first outlet valveis in an open position, and the combination is in the sanitizing mode.11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first outlet valve isconfigured to be in a closed position when the second outlet valve is inan open position, and the combination is in the sanitizing mode.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the second outlet valve is configured tobe in an open position and the first outlet valve is in an open positionwhen it is desired to pump the catholyte solution and the anolytesolution through the at least one pump at the same time.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the free-flowing material is a foodproduct.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the food product is abeverage concentrate.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising adevice configured to receive the anolyte solution and the catholytesolution from the sanitizing system and remove ions and chemicalradicals from the solutions to generate an ion-free, chemicalradical-free water, the apparatus further configured to supply theion-free, chemical radical-free water across the interior surface of thecomponent to purge any anolyte solution or catholyte solution from thedispensing system.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising adevice configured to receive the anolyte solution and the catholytesolution from the sanitizing system and remove the ions and chemicalradicals to generate an ion-free, chemical radical-free water, theapparatus further configured to supply the ion-free, chemicalradical-free water to a mixer, the mixer configured to mix a beverageconcentrate with the ion-free, chemical radical-free water when thecombination in the dispensing mode.
 17. An apparatus comprising: abeverage dispensing system in combination with a sanitizing system, thecombination having a dispensing mode and sanitizing mode, the beveragedispensing system comprising a first valve and a mixer, the mixercomprising an interior surface, the mixer configured to mix a beverageconcentrate with water when the combination is in the dispensing mode,the first valve having an open position to send a liquid to the mixerwhen the combination is in the dispensing mode, the first valve having aclosed position when the combination is in the sanitizing mode, thesanitizing system comprising a processing unit, the processing unitcomprising an electrochemical cell configured to produce an anolytesolution and a catholyte solution, a first tank configured to receivethe anolyte solution, and a second tank configured to receive thecatholyte solution, the sanitizing system further comprising a secondvalve, the second valve having an open position to send the anolytesolution from the first tank and the catholyte solution from the secondtank to the mixer when the combination is in the sanitizing mode, thesecond valve having a closed position when the combination is in thedispensing mode, the apparatus further comprising at least one pump, theat least one pump configured to send the anolyte solution from the firsttank and the catholyte solution from the second tank across the interiorsurface of the mixer when the combination is in the sanitizing mode.